worship.leadership

A Songwriter’s Arsenal

As a guy who writes songs for my church to sing, I’m always trying to improve. Here are a few things I use that assist me in my songwriting process. Hope this helps.

Evernote – I’ve already talked about the beauty of Evernote. As an iPhone user, this is my preferred way to capture ideas. I’ll record a melody or type a lyric and it automatically syncs from my phone to my desktop to the world wide web. Yay.

A Notebook – While I do love Evernote, sometimes it helps to do it the old-fashioned way. Write it out. I find it easier to process my thoughts when I physically write.

An inspiring guitar – I personally play a Martin DC-16 GTE. Wonderful. If you are able, purchase a guitar (or keyboard, or pan flute, or didgeridoo) that you love to pick up. Sometimes the instrument alone can inspire new songs. A few of my friends rave about these.

Recording Software – I’m a raving fan of Propellerhead, a music software company from Stockholm, Sweden. I use Reason & Record. Garageband is a great, simple tool that most people have. When crafting songs, it really helps to hear it back with quality sound. I’ll usually create drum loops, add keys, bass, strings. Good recording software can help inspire your writing and take songs in unanticipated directions.

Bible – As a worship songwriter, this is what I go to first. The tendency in songwriting is just to write what’s on the top of your head, which is typically cheesy, cliched phrases. Dig into Scripture and find fresh ways to articulate the truth.

I’m always looking for new things to inspire. What has been helpful in your songwriting?

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What has been helpful to me in songwriting is being in a creative atmosphere. Like my apartment or even in the office after hours. It definitely helps the creative flow when there’s not busyness surrounding you.

About

This blog exists to help worship leaders do what they do better.

Sometimes it’s hard to reconcile the big concert stages with the every day practicality of leading worship in the local church. I want to help connect the dots. My writings are brief, practical, and applicable to being a worship leader in the local church today. Thanks for stopping by. I am a Worship Pastor at Allison Park Church in Pittsburgh, PA. You may or may not be a worship leader. Even thought I gear my writings towards that audience, I write plenty of content on leadership, devotional life, music, and ministry.